This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald

287 pages

Published by Scribner in 1920

New York, NY

This Side of Paradise was F. Scott Fitzgerald's first novel. He penned it with the sole purpose of and desire for success. It was his belief that if he wrote a novel and had it published he would become a successful author and it would cause his lost love to return to him. Interestingly enough that is exactly what happened. Scribner published This Side of Paradise on March 26, 1920 and the book sold out within three days. Shortly after his lost love, Zelda Sayre returned and they were married April 3, 1920.

Unfortunately for Amory Blaine, the protagonist of This Side of Paradise, there wasn't such a "happy" ending to his story, but then it doesn't appear a happy ending was the goal of Fitzgerald in writing the story. This Side of Paradise  is a coming of age story about a young man, at the turn of the last century, who is in search of himself. In the end he does find out who he is (i.e. what type of person he is, his life motives, etc.), but happiness eludes him.

For those curious as to why Amory does not find happiness I will be so bold as to state that he did not find happiness because he was looking in all the wrong places. At one point in the story Amory claims, "It's just that religion doesn't seem to have the slightest bearing on life at my age." This is the lie that Amory chooses to believe and it is the same lie that many young people choose to believe today. Religion -- or rather faith in God -- has every bearing on our lives at every point of our lives. True faith in God is the beginning of true happiness and finding out who we are and why we are on earth.

This Side of Paradise is certainly not a "happily ever after" type of story, but it is a very real to life story. It is also very beautifully written (though I must admit I did find myself bogged down by the prose from time to time.) Still, I believe this is a book that would make an excellent reading selection for a book club. There is a lot of material to think on and to discuss.

I found it interesting to note how much of Amory's life experiences appear to be patterned after Fitzgerald's own. It was also fascinating to see how Fitzgerald pulled real life events and wove them into the story; some at very key points in Amory's life (i.e. prohibition). Though, I was a tad surprised to find the story glosses over Amory's time at war (WWI), but I suppose it was because in Fitzgerald's opinion the war didn't have the same affect on Amory's life choices that his relationships had.

All in all, I enjoyed This Side of Paradise; not because it was a happy or pretty story, but because it was well written and in its grittiness it depicted what life is like for someone who searches for fulfillment and happiness in all the wrong places. If you're looking for a "modern" novel to read and discuss with your book group I encourage you to take a closer look at one of Fitzgerald's novels (I also read and reviewed The Great Gatsby). I think there's plenty here to discuss even if you don't believe the same as the characters within.

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The Great Gatsby (reviewed)

This Side of Paradise (Free E-Book, Project Gutenberg)

This Side of Paradise (Free Audio Book, LibrioVox)

This Side of Paradise (Spark Notes)

Coming Soon: The Secret Keeper

This morning I was so excited to learn that Kate Morton's new novel, The Secret Keeper is finally on its way! Currently at the typesetter, Kate reported on her website that the book will be available for purchase in the US this October. I cannot wait!

For those of you who do not recall, I have read and finished all three of Kate Morton's earlier novels and each time I was left with mixed emotions. I am not a big fan of Gothic tales, but I find myself spellbound by Kate's storytelling. Thus I find myself both excited and anxious to pick up and read this new novel.

For those of you who have yet to discover Kate Morton you can learn more about her first three novels here:

The House at Riverton
The Forgotten Garden
The Distant Hours

Kate Morton's Official Website

Gerald And Elizabeth by D. E. Stevenson

245 pages
Published 1969 by Holt, Rinehart & Winston
New York NY

As most of you know by now, I have been a fan of D. E. Stevenson novels for a couple years now. My introduction was was in the fall of 2009 when a friend sent me the link to a delightful book titled, Miss Buncle's Book. From the moment I picked up Miss Buncle and began reading I became a life-long fan of Ms. Stevenson and now I look forward to each new title I discover, pick up and read.

Thanks to Hope at Worthwhile Books, who passed on to me a ex-library copy of Gerald and Elizabeth earlier this year, I had the chance to read another delightful tale by one of my favorite authors.


The Plot:
Gerald Brown is young, good-looking, personable, but he holds himself aloof from the other passengers aboard the Ariadne, a small passenger ship returning to London from Cape Town, South Africa. In fact, his behavior is so extremely antisocial that he appears on deck only late at night, rarely venturing from his cabin during the day. Something is troubling him deeply, something that happened while he was working as an engineer in a Cape Town diamond mine that has left him spent and hopeless.

After the Ariadne docks in London, Gerald, desperately in need of a job, decides to contact his sister, the beautiful and famous actress, Elizabeth Burleigh, whose current play is the hit of the London theater season. As he reveals to her his haunting past in South Africa, he learns that she too is suffering, that behind her facade of gaiety and sophistication lurks a nagging suspicion about her mental health that is threatening to destroy her career and her love affair as well.

What are the forces that seem bent on these destroying these young people who have so much to live for? Can the mysteries surrounding their lives be solved -- and in time to prevent irreversible consequences? (Summary courtesy of the book dust jacket.)

My thoughts:
I must admit in spite of reading this jacket summary I was still surprised by Gerald and Elizabeth. I expected from the summary that I knew exactly how the story would turn out... and to a degree I did -- it had a happy ending -- but at the same time there was still plenty of surprises within this story and as a result I really did enjoy the read. It was a light and charming read with a touch of mystery and wit that kept me intrigued up to the end.

That said, I can't say that Gerald and Elizabeth was one of D. E. Stevenson's best works. It was enjoyable, but not a masterpiece. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't quite as good as some of her other books (i.e. Blue Sapphire, Mrs. Tim, Miss Buncle's Book, etc.). Nevertheless, a good Stevenson novel is still a worthwhile read and I recommend it to anyone looking for something new and different to read, particularly fans of Stevenson's novels.

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Related Links:

Happy Birthday D. E. Stevenson
Other D. E. Stevenson books reviewed

Biography - Wikipedia
All Things D. E. Stevenson

High Rising by Angela Thirkell

233 pages
Originally published in 1933
Reprinted by Moyer Bell in 2008
Kingston, RI & Lancaster, England

I first discovered the delightfully witty writings of Angela Thirkell when I stumbled upon Wild Strawberries in early 2010. I enjoyed the book so much I checked to see if there were other stories the included the same characters and was pleased to find Wild Strawberries was one of several books in a series! Right then and there I vowed to start at the beginning and read my way through the entire series -- what most know as the Angela Thirkell's Barsetshire Series.

But it was not until mid-spring 2011 that I had the chance to start at the beginning of the series with High Rising. Like Wild Strawberries, High Rising is not a dramatic tale, but instead a comical telling of every-day life in a little English country-side town during the early 1930s.

High Rising centers around Laura Morland, a windowed mother with four sons (three grown and absent from the story), who supports herself and her youngest son, Tony by writing fan-fiction. Included in the story are Laura and Tony's friends, associates, and neighbors who reside in the neighboring towns of Low Rising and High Rising within Barsetshire County. Although nothing much happens in either location the story is driven by the comical escapades of Tony (and at times Laura), a few romances, and plenty of observations on life and human nature by a cast of well-crafted characters -- all of which keep the reader turning page after page.

I found High Rising a delightfully charming and witty story and it didn't take long before I fell in love with the setting and many of the characters. High Rising is a comfort-read that gives one a feeling of nostalgia. It's the type of book I love to pick up and read when I just want to relax and enjoy a good story about people.

My only complaint was with the book edition. It is a reprint, but had numerous type-o's that should have been caught by the publisher (or editor). Because of this I did not bother to purchase a copy of High Rising, but instead borrowed one from my library. I would love to own a copy of this book, it was that good, but I am holding out for either an older (original) edition or correct reprint.

I definitely look forward to reading more in the series and highly recommend High Rising to those looking for a light, entertaining read with plenty of character charm.

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Related Links:

• The Angela Thirkell Society
• Angela Thirkell's Bibliography
• Angela Thirkell's Facebook Fan Page
• Happy Birthday Angela Thirkell

• The Headmistress by Angela Thirkell (Reviewed)
• Wild Strawberries by Angela Thirkell (Reviewed)

Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers

501 pages
Published 1935 by Gollancz
Reprinted by Harper Collins Publishers in 1995
New York, NY

It's no secret, I love a good mystery read. And yet somehow I had managed to get nearly three decades into my life with books without once picking up a novel by Dorothy L. Sayers. That is, until this year when several of the ladies in my book club strongly encouraged our group to not only read Gaudy Night, but to add it to the very limited list of books we read and discuss together. I knew then and there I had to read something by Dorothy L. Sayers. A book coming with such strong recommendation from readers I respect and admire, I knew must be indeed a worthwhile read.

For those that don't know much about Sayers' mystery novels, Gaudy Night is the tenth book in the Lord Peter Wimsey detective series. It varies slightly from the earlier books in the series in that the plot revolves around mystery author Harriet Vane, a friend of Lord Peter's, with Lord Peter taking a supporting role to the story. Having absolutely no background in either the character's lives or the previous cases solved within the series I thought I might be in for a bit of confusion, but I was not. Although references to earlier cases, particularly Strong Poison are made, these are subtle and do not distract from the present story. In a way, Gaudy Night could probably be considered one of the few stand-alone reads within a series if one chose to read it that way.

The plot:
Famed mystery writer Harriet Vane returns to her alma mater (an all female college) for reunion of sorts, which will include the annual "Gaudy" celebrations. Harriet initially has second thoughts about making the trip, but after the weekend turns out well she quickly dismisses such thoughts... Until she  discovers a poison-pen type note in the pocket of her gown that she wore during her stay. This she soon learns is not the only one of its kind. The dons of the college contact Harriet asking for her assistance in solving a real mystery -- who is the lunatic behind a string of malicious pranks, poison pen letters and nasty graffiti that has been spread around the college following the Gaudy Night. The only problem is the dons want to keep the matter out of the press and yet there is a sense of urgency that the mystery must be solved before someone is seriously injured... Hoping to avoid scandal and further problems Harriet begins to investigate, but quickly turns to her friend Lord Peter Wimsey for help in clearing the names of some of her beloved teachers.

My Thoughts:
I truly enjoyed Gaudy Night. It was a good mystery read. Although, I confess, I did solve the "whodunnit" about 125 pages before the end, which I count an accomplishment as the mystery was a definite puzzler. I found the story well plotted, well written, and overall fascinating on so many levels.

On the surface you have a mystery. Below that there are discussions and thought provoking conversations that revolve around issues of the day like social class, feminism, a woman's education, and the advantages of marriage and single-hood, career and family. Of course to further enrich this novel there is also a love story and plenty of charm and wit to keep the reader laughing and turning the pages.

Yes, this is a Harriet Vane story, but it is contained within the Lord Peter Wimsey series and Lord Peter's presence is certainly felt within the book even when he is physically absent from the scene. It didn't take long before I knew I had to read the rest of the series. I just loved Lord Peter and Harriet Vane.

Gaudy Night is a quotable, meaty story, but also a thrilling and completely satisfying mystery. Definitely a must-read for mystery fans or those looking for a good English read from the early part of the 20th century, but don't just take my word for it, go get a copy and discover for yourself!

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Related Links:

• Online Gaudy Night annotations by Bill Peschel (for those of us who need help w/ Latin quotes and other classical references)
• The Dorothy L. Sayers Society (UK)
• HarperCollins Publishers: Dorothy L. Sayers
  
• Open Library: Dorothy L. Sayers

Crooked Adam by D. E. Stevenson

256 pages
Published in 1942, reprinted in 1970
by Holt, Rinehart & Winston


When it comes to books I love a good spy thriller and Crooked Adam by D. E. Stevenson is just that. Departing from her typical novel format that consists of romance, quaint English and Scottish neighborhoods, and the occasional family drama, Crooked Adam is set in Scotland during the early years of World War II and is a tale of espionage with a very unlikely hero; a young man called "Crooked Adam."

It is because of his limp that Adam was found unfit to join the King's military and must endure the war from the classroom of a boy's school. And it is because of this limp that Adam despairs he will never do anything to help his country... Until one day he discovers the war has come to his school's back yard when he uncovers a plot to steal a scientific invention that -- if built to full-scale -- could change the way the RAF defends the United Kingdom from enemy aircraft.

"Crooked Adam" may be an unlikely hero, but he is definitely the man for the job as he takes on the role of amateur detective and helps capture and close down the spy ring.

I thoroughly enjoyed Crooked Adam. The story is fast paced and kept me turning page after page to see what would happen next. In addition, there is a good amount of description and the dialogue is both interesting and witty. Although the ending might be a little predictable I still found the overall plot an excellent mix of mystery, adventure and romance and all-in-all another gem by D. E. Stevenson

For the reader looking for a different type of spy thriller I definitely recommend Crooked Adam. The only disappointment is that Crooked Adam is out of print. Used copies are available online, but prices are rather high ranging from $15-75 per book, which is why I opted for the ILL option. For those lucky enough, many libraries still carry a number of D. E. Stevenson's books and if your own library doesn't, you might be able to obtain a copy through their ILL program.

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Related Links: 


Happy Birthday D. E. Stevenson
Other D. E. Stevenson books reviewed

At the Sign of the Jack O'Lantern by Myrtle Reed

353 pages
Published in 1905 by G. P. Putnam's Sons
New York and London
The Knickerbocker Press

It's been a long time since I've reviewed a Myrtle Reed novel. I was first introduced to Ms. Reed in 2009 by a good friend who is also an avid reader. For those unfamiliar with Ms. Reed's writing, she was a best selling author at the turn of the last century who wrote mostly novels, but also dabbled in the art of cook books under the pseudonym, Olive Green.

Ms. Reed's novels are best known for their sweetness and charm as well as their sharp wit and social commentary. Although they are classified as "romance" they are by no means brainless fiction. Ms. Reed weaves together a cast that is both diverse and real-to-life. There is always some moral or social lesson to be taken from the story, but it is served in a way that makes the read more enjoyable rather than turning the reader away.

At the Sign of the Jack O'Lantern was published in 1905 and was Ms. Reed's ninth book published and probably one of her funniest.

The Plot:
As the novel opens newlyweds, Harlan and Dorothy Carr arrive at their new home, a strangely built house dubbed by locals: the "Jack O'Lantern." Harlan and Dorothy, who inherited the house and surrounding farm from Harlan's recently deceased Uncle Ebenezer, quickly settle in to their new home, all the while puzzling over the numerous mysteries that surround the house, including a number of bedrooms that appear to have been built haphazardly onto the main house.

Who was this Uncle Ebenezer that Harlan never met and why did he leave the bizarre house to Harlan? The mysteries begin to unravel (and seemingly so does Harlan and Dorothy's marriage) as a number of uninvited guests,who claim to be distant relatives of Uncle Ebenezer, start turning up on the doorstep of the Jack O'Lantern.

What ensues is a summer of bizarre happenings and a mix of hilarious and sometimes painful family scenes, and a few serious moral lessons that all culminate into a most satisfactory ending.

My Thoughts:
I found At the Sign of the Jack O'Lantern to be quite different than the other novels by Myrtle Reed that I have read. It seemed much more moralistic, but not in a negative way. In fact, I found the overall story a very enjoyable read. I thought the winding plot was clever and fresh as it kept my interest for the entire book, even through what some might consider the "slow parts." I also enjoyed the character development. As typical Myrtle Reed fashion the characters are diverse with some you love, some you love to hate and some that are just down-right hilarious.

I read somewhere that At the Sign of the Jack O'Lantern was adapted to the silver screen in 1922. I imagine it must have been quite a funny and entertaining film, but unfortunately I'll never know, because like so many of the early films it is lost to time and no longer available for viewing.

What I did find while browsing the Internet was a review of this book in the New York Times newspaper from 1905. If you have time be sure to check it out: New York Times Review 1905.

I've now reached the end of Myrtle Reed books that are readily available to me, but there are still at least a half-dozen I've yet to read. As time and funds allow I hope to extend my search and read the rest of her novels. They are charming and entertaining reads that I always enjoy and encourage you to give them a read.

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Related Links:

Read The Book:
Google Books (FREE)
Project Gutenberg (FREE)
Amazon Kindle ($0.99)

Other Myrtle Reed Book Reviews:
The Spinster Book
Weaver of Dreams
A Spinner in The Sun
Lavender And Old Lace
The Master's Violin
Old Rose & Silver

Quotes & Book Teasers:
Tuesday Teaser: At the Sign of the Jack O'Lantern
Tuesday Teaser: A Spinner in the Sun
Tuesday Teaser: A Weaver of Dreams
Tuesday Teaser: Lavender and Old Lace
Tuesday Teaser: Old Rose & Silver
Romantic Passages: Old Rose & Silver

Who Was Myrtle Reed?
Wikipedia: Myrtle Reed
Online Literature: Myrtle Reed
Chicago Magazine (Aug 2006): Myrtle Reed

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

562 pages
Published November 2010
Atria Books, a Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
New York, NY

I was very excited when I learned last autumn that Australian author Kate Morton had a new novel that would be released in November. I had plans to read and review it while still hot off the presses so I got my hands on a copy as quickly as possible and started reading... But then life happened. When it came time to review the novel I ran out of time.

So here I am, months later and very excited to finally sit down and put my thoughts here. So for any of you who are fans of Gothic fiction, or for those of you who have heard of Kate Morton and are still curious about her latest offering, The Distant Hours, let me enlighten you.

First, in her own words:

The Plot:


My Thoughts:
As I sat down to write my review of The Distant Hours I once again found myself torn by how I truly felt about the story. As was the case with both of Morton's earlier novels, The House at Riverton and The Forgotten Garden I both loved and disliked this novel. When I stopped to reflect on what made me feel this way it always came back to the very same reasons I both loved and disliked her earlier books. What reasons? Well, for starters let me explain what I love.

I just love Kate Morton’s writing style. Other readers may consider her writing too descriptive or wordy, but I do not agree. I find the story plots clever and unique and her writing creates vivid scenes that leap off the pages and pull me into the story. There is a richness to each novel that keeps my attention riveted to the very last page. I MUST read to the end to learn the answers to all my questions and to know the outcome for each character within the story. I love a book that can make feel this way while I read.

So what did I dislike? The most obvious objection I had was with the wicked behavior of certain characters. But beyond that I also found that I didn't like the dark and depressing shadow that draped the entire story. At first I thought it was just Kate Morton's modern take that made the book so dark, but the more I think about Gothic novels in general I realize it coincides with the "horror" aspect of the Gothic novel and this is what I truly dislike no matter the era in which the story was written. Not to say there is the same type of "horror" that you would find in a slasher movie, because there isn't. What I mean is that the dark and disturbing aspects of the book and the hopelessness of some characters makes the story a bit of a downer. As I read I wait for the moment when the "wicked" are punished and the "good" finally get to live happily-ever-after in peace, but the more I think about it I realize that such an ending doesn't often exist within the Gothic genre.

For example, consider the following novels: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, or even the more recent Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. All of these novels are tales that weave romance with tragedy and horror and very few of them end on any note of happiness. And yet they all have two things in common: there is the thrill of the read and there is always a lesson or principle to ponder, even after the saddest of endings.

I suppose if I stop to consider The Distant Hours in light of these facts I find it less disappointing. Still, I keep hoping that one day I'll read a novel by Kate Morton that will be just as thrilling, but will have a much happier ending.

Overall, my emotions aside I found The Distant Hours to be well written, well plotted, and an excellent read. ~

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Related links:
Kate Morton (Official website)
Simon & Schuster: Kate Morton's Official Page
Simon & Schuster: The Distant Hours
Kate Morton - Video about The Distant Hours

Mrs. Tim Flies Home by D. E. Stevenson

Published in 1952, reprinted in 1974
By Holt, Rinehart & Winston
New York, NY
284 pages

Mrs. Tim Flies Home is the final book in D. E. Stevenson’s four-part Mrs. Tim series. For those not yet familiar with the lovable Hester Christie, a.k.a. “Mrs. Tim” stop reading this review and go read my reviews of Mrs. Tim of the Regiment, Mrs. Tim Carries On, and Mrs. Tim gets a Job. Although the Mrs. Tim books can be read in any order I personally think they are best if read in order of publication. By doing so the reader’s familiarity with Hester and her friends and family grows just as the characters relationships grow and mature with time.

The Plot:
“Leaving Tim (now a colonel) in Kenya, Mrs. Tim flies home to her children for the summer in her beloved North Country. A stopover in Rome allows for the unexpected renewal of an old friendship with Tony Morely – a friendship regarded as highly suspect by fellow passenger Rosa Alston.

Once installed in The Small House in Old Quinings, a host of local characters – some familiar to followers of Mrs. Tim’s adventures – brighten and shadow Hester’s life. Tony Morely turns up, but so does Rosa Alston with her gossipy innuendoes. Mrs. Tim has a trying time with a singularly unpleasant landlady, but two young romances enliven the village, and Mrs. Tim closes her diary on a note of infectious happiness.” (The publisher, Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1974)

My Thoughts:
I had bitter-sweet feelings as I picked up Mrs. Tim Flies Home. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the series and I felt as though I was meeting with some friends for the very last time. And yet, as far as a final book in a series can go, Mrs. Time Flies Home was very enjoyable and tied up a few loose ends nicely and left a few to the imagination of the reader.

As I read I found myself once again marveling at how comforting the Mrs. Tim books are in spite of the simplicity of their plots. Mrs. Tim Flies Home is a charming story filled with witty tales of domesticity in post war (WWII) England. There’s something about the dialogue, narration, and characters that drive the story with the occasional plot twist or intrigue.

I confess my only regret, if I am allowed to have one, is that throughout the series many couples find true love and live “happily-ever-after” including Tim and Hester, but for Tony Morely. Tony was one of my favorite regulars in the series. I just loved his sense of humor and charm and I always hoped, right up to the last quarter of this book, that he would find a woman who could rival Hester for his admiration. But in the end I suppose Stevenson felt it far more romantic and much more Tony-like to leave him a bachelor who remains a very dear friend of the Christie family. In retrospect, I suppose I can accept that.

Overall I definitely loved the Mrs. Tim series. The first in the series was reprinted by The Bloomsbury Group Publishers in 2009. I heard a rumor that they may go on to publish the rest of the series. I hope it's true, because this is one series I definitely am happy to own and to recommend.

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Related Links:

Mrs. Tim of the Regiment - Reviewed
Mrs. Tim Carries On - Reviewed
Mrs. Tim Gets a Job - Reviewed

Tuesday Teasers: Mrs. Tim of the Regiment
Tuesday Teasers: Mrs. Tim Gets a Job
Tuesday Teasers: Mrs. Tim Gets a Job
Tuesday Teasers: Mrs. Tim Flies Home

Happy Birthday D. E. Stevenson

Other D. E. Stevenson books reviewed

The Belfry by May Sinclair

322 pages
Published 1916
by Macmillan Company
in New York, NY

"Well, that's exactly what he did have. He had my luck, I mean the luck I ought to have had, all the time, from the beginning to the very end. But there is one thing he can't take from me, and that is the telling of this story."

The Plot:
The Belfry, told in three "books" is the story of one Tasker "Jimmy" Jevons. In the first "book" the reader is introduced to Jimmy by the narrator, a friend named Walter. It is 1905 and Jimmy is a young struggling journalist without a half crown to his name, but with big dreams. These dreams include winning the heart of Walter's beautiful secretary, Viola. Much to the disbelief and somewhat annoyance of Walter (and those around him) Jimmy professes great foreknowledge of his future success as well as various events that will occur over the course of the next few months or years. To make matters worse, scandal ensues when Viola is discovered to have traveled to Belgium with Jimmy to see a belfry.

By the second part of the book Jimmy has time and time again achieved exactly what he set out to accomplish, including fame and fortune as a world-renowned author, play-write, and literary critic. Unfortunately the only thing he hasn't gained is the respect of his in-laws, including his wife's favorite brother. And then the darkness settles. Like a shooting star, Jimmy's career seems short-lived, his family life seems to be falling apart, and Jimmy seems to be in a world of his own consumed by wealth. To top this the ominous cloud of war approaches, the very war he foretold!

And then in the last third of the book the whole story turns upside down. And in a heroic moment set on a European battlefield the reader, as well as the narrator, discovers there is truly more than meets the eye when it comes to Tasker "Jimmy" Jevons.

My Thoughts:
It was last September while reading Agatha Christie's memoirs that I first learned of the English novelist May Sinclair. In her memoir Christie said of Sinclair, "I think she was one of our finest and most original novelists, and I cannot help feeling that there will be a revival of interest in her some day, and that her works will be republished."

I considered this as strong a recommendation for reading an author as any, so I set out to find one or two titles by May Sinclair that Agatha Christie had specifically mentioned in her memoir. Unfortunately while I was able to locate a few of Sinclair's novels through my library's ILL program it did not appear that they were the same as those mentioned by Christie. To add to my disappointment none of the books available included any plot information and I was not able to find any further information online. (Oddly enough many of Sinclair's novels are still in print, but no plot summaries or book reviews are available!)

In the end I settled for The Belfry because I liked the opening paragraph (above) and it sparked my interest.

At first I found the story a little slow going as I was unsure which direction the story was taking. And then for a time I thought I knew where it was headed and that it might be a 1916 English version of The Great Gatsby, or perhaps something worse like Evelyn Waugh's depressing novel, Brideshead Revisited. But because Christie had spoken so well of Sinclair's writing I kept reading. It's a good thing I didn't stop and it's an even better thing that I didn't get sidetracked by researching Sinclair as a person, for as if by magic, I read past the hundred and ninth page and suddenly I found I couldn't set the story aside.

I soon realized that The Belfry was so much more than I originally thought. Yes, it is a story of a self-made man and there are some sad elements, but it is also a real eye-opener about relationships (be they family, friends, or marital) and a study of people. As I finished The Belfry I found that I had learned some interesting things about the nature of people just as the narrator discovered some surprising truths about himself and about Jimmy.

In the end I was glad I persevered in reading The Belfry. I have since discovered that it was one of the books Agatha Christie referenced in her memoir, but published under a different name. In fact, it is the one novel Christie declared to be Sinclair's "masterpiece."

So having enjoyed The Belfry will I give Sinclair a second chance? Definitely! She's unlike any other author I've read to date. I enjoyed her writing style, the story she wove and I appreciated that she included hope and happiness for her characters without sacrificing the feeling of realness for the story as a whole.

Would I recommend Sinclair to other readers? To that I am not yet sure. From what I've since read about May Sinclair I can't say that I agree with many of her worldviews, but that doesn't mean that her other novels aren't worth reading. I think I will wait and see what I think of some of her other books before I shout her name from the blogging rooftops. In the meantime I definitely recommend The Belfry (also published as: Tasker Jevons: The Real Story). It is definitely a worthwhile read and one I'm glad I chanced to read. ~

Related Links:
The Belfry (Kindle - Free E-Book)
The Belfry (Gutenberg - Free E-Book)
The Belfry (Google - Free E-Book)

May Sinclair - Wikipedia

Romantic Passages from Favorite Reads Part VI

Happy Valentine's Day!

The following is my sixth and final installment in the post series of Romantic Passages from Favorite Reads. There are countless of books and passages I could have quoted, the six I chose were just particular favorites of mine. Enjoy!

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Really and truly there are so many quotable passages within Pride and Prejudice that I almost had a difficult time choosing just one, but in the end I selected the following snippet from the fifty-eighth chapter because it is one of my all-time favorites. It is point in the story where two of literature's greatest lovers finally has a meeting of the hearts and minds. I just love it!

If you are interested in the entire scene then I say tarry no longer, go forth and get yourself a copy of this literary gem!

The Book: Pride & Prejudice, Chpt 58
The Setting: 1812, Meryton in Hertfordshire, England
The Scene: Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy take a walk

"If you will thank me,' he replied, 'let it be for yourself alone. That the wish of giving happiness to you might add force to the other inducements which led me on, I shall not attempt to deny. But your family owe me nothing. Much as I respect them, I believe I thought only of you.'

Elizabeth was too much embarrassed to say a word. After a short pause, her companion added, 'You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged; but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever.'

Elizabeth, feeling all the more than common awkwardness and anxiety of his situation, now forced herself to speak; and immediately though not very fluently, gave him to understand that her sentiments had undergone so material a change since the period to which he alluded, as to make her receive with gratitude and pleasure his present assurances. the happiness which this reply produced was such as he had probably never felt before, and he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and as warmly as a man violently in love can be supposed to do. Had Elizabeth been able to encounter his eyes, she might have seen how well the expression of heartfelt delight diffused over his face became him; but, though she could not look, she could listen, and he told her of feelings which, in proving of what importance she was to him, made his affection every moment more valuable."

Romantic Passages from Favorite Reads Part V

I had a little difficulty deciding upon my next selection. I wanted a passage from one of Myrtle Reed's novels, but which one? In the end I settled with Old Rose and Silver a charming story set at the turn of the last century. It is a story of unrequited love on the part of the heroine, who, rather than pursue her love selfishly, takes herself away so that the man she loves can be with someone else. The sweetness comes when she discovers not only that the object of her affection has pursued her, but that her love is at last returned. (The hero is a bit dense, but all is right in the end.)

The Book: Old Rose And Silver by Myrtle Reed, Chpt. 24
The Setting: Somewhere in the eastern United States, 1910
The Scene: Allison admits his true feelings for Rose

"Oh, I know,' he flashed back, bitterly. 'I've lost any shadow of right I might ever have had, because I was a blind fool, and I never had any chance anyway. All I can do is to go on loving you, needing you, wanting you; seeing your face before me every hour of the day and night, thirsting for you with every fiber of me. All I have to keep is an empty husk of memory--those few weeks you were kind to me. At least I had you with me though your heart belonged to someone else.'

'Someone else?' she repeated, curiously. The colour was coming back slowly now.

'Yes. Have you forgotten you told me? That day, don't you remember, you said you had loved another man who did not care for you?'

Rose nodded. Her face was like a crimson flower swaying on a slender stem. 'I said,' she began, 'that I had loved a man who did not care for me, and that I always would. Wasn't that it?'

'Something like that. I wish to G-- I could change places with him.'

'Did I,' hesitated Rose, 'are you sure--that I said--another man, or was it just--a man?'

....

'Rose! Rose! Look at me! Tell me, for G--- sake, who he was--or is. I can't bear it!'

She turned toward him. 'Look,' she said, softly. 'Look in my face and see.' For a tense instant he hesitated. Then, with a little cry of joy, he clasped her close forever, having seen his own face mirrored in her happy eyes."

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*At the beginning of the 20th century it was not uncommon for males to have the name "Allison"

Old Rose & Silver (reviewed)

Romantic Passages from Favorite Reads Part IV

The Book: North And South by Elizabeth Gaskell, Chpt. 27
The Setting: 1850s, London, England
The Scene: John Thornton and Margaret Hale reach an understanding.. at last!

"While she sought for this paper, her very heart-pulse was arrested by the tone in which Mr. Thornton spoke. His voice was hoarse, and trembling with tender passion, as he said:---

'Margaret!'

For an instant she looked up; and then sought to veil her luminous eyes by dropping her forehead on her hands. Again, stepping nearer, he besought her with another tremulous eager call upon her name,

'Margaret!'

Still lower went the head; more closely hidden was the face, almost resting on the table before her. He came close to her. He knelt by her side, to bring his face to a level with her ear; and whispered--panted out the words:--

'Take care.--If you do not speak--I shall claim you as my own in some strange presumptuous way.--Send me away at once, if I must go;--Margaret!--'

At that third call she turned her face, still covered with her small white hands, towards him, and laid it on his shoulder, hiding it even there; and it was too delicious to feel her soft cheek against his, for him to wish to see either deep blushes or loving eyes. He clasped her close. But they both kept silence. At length she murmured in a broken voice:

'Oh, Mr. Thornton, I am not good enough!'

'Not good enough! Don't mock my own deep feeling of unworthiness.'

After a minute or two, he gently disengaged her hands from her face, and laid her arms as they had once before been placed to protect him from the rioters..."

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North & South (reviewed)
North & South (Free AudioBook)

Romantic Passages from Favorite Reads Part III

I had a difficult time selecting just a single passage for my next pick. In the end I settled for two quotes from two books within the Anne series. I believe these establish not only the romance between Gilbert and Anne as a young couple, but how alive their love was after several children and 15 years of marriage. I hope you enjoy!

The Book: Anne's House of Dreams by L. M. Montgomery, Chpt. 4
The Setting: 1890, Green Gables, Prince Edward Island, Canada
The Scene: Gilbert's and Anne's Wedding

"But it was a happy and beautiful bride who came down the old, homespun-carpeted stairs that September noon--the first bride of Green Gables, slender and shining-eyed, in the mist of her maiden veil, with her arms full of roses. Gilbert, waiting for her in the hall below, looked up at her with adoring eyes. She was his at last, this evasive, long-sought Anne, won after years of patient waiting. It was to him she was coming in the sweet surrender of the bride. Was he worth of her? Could he make her as happy as he hoped? If he failed her--if he could not measure up to her standard of manhood-then, as she held out her hand, their eyes met and all doubt was swept away in a glad certainty. They belonged to each other; and, no matter what life might hold for them, it could never alter that. their happiness was in each other's keeping and both were unafraid."

The Book: Anne of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery, Chpt. 41
The Setting: 1905, Ingleside, Prince Edward Island, Canada
The Scene: Gilbert and Anne's 15th wedding anniversary

"Anne felt like a released bird... she was flying again. Gilbert's arms were around her.. his eyes were looking into hers in the moonlight. 'You do love me, Gilbert? I'm not just a habit with you? You haven't said you loved me for so long.'

'My dear, dear love! I didn't think you needed words to know that. I couldn't live without you. Always you give me strength. There's a verse somewhere in the Bible that is meant for you... "She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life."'

Life which had seemed so grey and foolish a few moments before was golden and rose and splendidly rainbowed again. The diamond pendant slipped to the floor, unheeded for the moment. It was beautiful... but there were so many things lovelier... confidence and peace and delightful work... laughter and kindness... that old safe feeling of a sure love."

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Another romantic passage is Gilbert's proposal to Anne: Anne of the Island, Chapter 41.

Anne of the Island (reviewed)
Anne's House of Dreams (reviewed)
Anne of Ingleside (reviewed)

Anne of Green Gables Timeline

Romantic Passages from Favorite Reads Part II

My next choice is from Jane Austen's Persuasion, which is arguably my favorite of her novels, well, maybe second only to Pride and Prejudice.

The book: Persuasionon by Jane Austen, Chapter 23
The setting: Early 19th century England
The scene: A letter from Captain Wentworth to Anne Elliot

"On the contents of that letter depended all which this world could do for her! Any thing was possible, any thing might be defied rather than suspense. Mrs. Musgrove had little arrangements of her own at her own table; to their protection she must trust, and sinking into the chair which he had occupied, succeeding to the very spot where he had leaned and written, her eyes devoured the following words:

'I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own, than when you almost broke it eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that this love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant. You alone have brought me to Bath. For you alone I think and plan. -- Have you not seen this? can you fail to have understood my wishes? -- I had not waited even these ten days, could I have read your feelings, as I think you must have penetrated mine. I can hardly write. I am every instant hearing something which overpowers me. You sink your voice, but I can distinguish the tones of that voice, when they would be lost on others. -- Too good, too excellent creature! You do us justice indeed. You do believe that there is true attachment and constancy among men. Believe it to be most fervent, most undeviating in

F. W.

I must go, uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither, or follow your party, as soon as possible. A word, a look will be enough to decide whether I enter your father's house this evening, or never.'"

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If you've never read Persuasion, then let me persuade you to not waste another moment, but instead pick up this delightful story. It is a classic tale of true love; love that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love that never ends.

Romantic Passages from Favorite Reads Part I

It seems everywhere I turn people are talking about Valentine's Day. Stores are decked out with red, white and pink candy, cookies, cupcakes and flowers. TV shows and music are tuned to tales of love and romance.

In light of this I thought it might be fun to reflect upon a few romantic scenes from some of my favorite reads. I confess this was not a completely original idea. I was inspired with this idea by the emails floating around the Maud Hart Lovelace List-Serv, so it seems only fair that my first quoted passage would come from one of my favorite Lovelace books, Betsy's Wedding. Not read any of Maud's books? Be sure to come back later this year when A Library is a Hospital for the Mind hosts the third annual Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge.

The Book: Betsy's Wedding, Chapter 2
The setting: 1914, New York City.
The scene: Joe and Betsy are reunited and dining together.

"Betsy,' he said at last, 'I love you. I love you from the cloudy dark hair down to your slender feet. I love your eyes, and your soft hands, and your sweet voice, and the way your laugh chimes out. Everything about you is enchanting to me. But Betsy, it's lots more than that.'

He seemed to be thinking out loud.

'I can always talk to you, ' he said. 'I can make plans or puzzle out ideas, or build castles in the air. I don't need to think what I'm saying or guard my words. You understand my high moods and my low ones. You understand me, I guess.

'I want to be married to you and have you around all the time. I want to come home to you after work and tell you about my day. I want to hear you humming around, doing housework. I want to support you. I want to do things for you. If we were married and I was coming home to you tonight, I wouldn't care if we had just bread and milk.

'You know, Betsy, we never quarrel when we're together. We never will, I really believe, when we are married. But if we aren't, something might come between us again. Betsy, you fit into my life as perfectly as a rose fits its stem. You and I match like the pieces of a broken coin.' After a long pause, he said, 'Love me always, Betsy! I have given my whole heart to you.'"

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I think part of why I love the characters Joe and Besty is that I know they were the fictional counterpart to the author and her husband. Joe and Betsy were best friends, soul-mates, and lovers. And if the reader knows anything about the author, Maud and her husband, Delos it's obvious that their relationship was very much the same. Maud once said: "Delos and I are mutually agreed that marrying each other was giving the perfect answer to life." (11/28/1931)

I think there's nothing quite as romantic as learning that a real-life couple had a truly loving and happy marriage during their life-time.

Now, what about you? What are some of your favorite romantic passages from books you've read? Leave me a comment and let me know.

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

510 pages
Published in 1868

"Do you feel an uncomfortable heat at the pit of your stomach, sir? and a nasty thumping at the top of your head? AH! not yet? It will lay hold of you at Cobb's Hole, Mr. Franklin. I call it the detective-fever; and I first caught it in the company of Sergeant Cuff." (Part 2, Chpt 3, pg 325)

I love a good mystery and The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins is probably one of the most famous of what might be classified as the classic-mystery. Published in mid-19th century, The Moonstone is one of the earliest novels that depicts a police detective working to solve a crime. (Yes, it predates even the world-renowned Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.) In fact, this novel has led many readers to call Wilkie Collins the father of the modern detective story. Although there is some dispute amongst Edgar Allen Poe fans.

The Plot:
"Rachel Verinder, a young Englishwoman, inherits a large Indian diamond on her eighteenth birthday. It is a legacy from her uncle, a corrupt English army officer who served in India. The diamond is of great religious significance as well as being extremely valuable, and three Hindu priests have dedicated their lives to recovering it.... Rachel's eighteenth birthday is celebrated with a large party, whose guests include her cousin Franklin Blake. She wears the Moonstone on her dress that evening for all to see, including some Indian jugglers who have called at the house. Later that night, the diamond is stolen from Rachel's bedroom, and a period of turmoil, unhappiness, misunderstandings and ill-luck ensues. Told by a series of narratives from some of the main characters, the complex plot traces the subsequent efforts to explain the theft, identify the thief, trace the stone and recover it." (Summary courtesy of Wikipedia.)

My Thoughts:
I was thrilled to finally get the chance to read The Moonstone. Years ago my book club read The Woman In White, an earlier novel by Collins, and I really enjoyed it, so when it was suggested as our next book during one of our meetings last fall I had nothing but the highest expectations. I am happy to report I was not disappointed. The Moonstone is a clever and witty tale of human interest, sensational thrill, romance, and social criticism. It keeps the reader (myself included) turning page after page to the very end.

And it was no different 143 years ago when the story first appeared in English newspapers. Although it is now available in complete form, when Collins wrote the story it was published in serial form from January to August of 1868. It is said that readers lined the streets awaiting the final installments and that bets were even made as to the outcome of the story plot. (Remind you of how people are today awaiting the latest installment in a popular fiction series or television show? I suppose some things never change.)

Some critics have called The Moonstone a "sensationalist" and "moralistic" novel because of the extreme elements contained within and the somewhat obvious plot. But I do not consider this a reason to avoid reading it. Yes, I did suspect certain turn of events and perhaps some of the story was obvious, but overall it was the journey, the how and why that was exciting for me to read. Yes, the bad end badly and the good end well, but there is more to the story than that. Collins used this riveting tale to shed light and draw attention to some serious issues of his time. Even now, nearly a century and a half later readers will read and give pause to think about issues they might not otherwise have stopped to consider outside a history textbook.

The Moonstone goes down as one of my all-time favorite classics. And in my opinion, if you have the opportunity to read just one classic this year you might do a lot worse than to read The Moonstone.

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Related Links:

Tuesday Teaser: The Moonstone
A House to Let by Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell, Wilkie Collins (reviewed)

Project Gutenberg: The Moonstone (E-Book)
Librivox: The Moonstone (Audio Book)
Wilkie Collins - Information Page
Wilike Collins: The Moonstone - Information Page

Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

418 pages
Published in 2010
by Dial Press a trademark of
The Random House Publishing Group
New York, NY

Mini Shopaholic is the sixth in a series of chick-lit/romantic-comedy-of-errors novels by British author, Sophie Kinsella.

The Plot:
"Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) thought motherhood would be a breeze and that having a daughter was a dream come true a shopping friend for life! But it's trickier than she thought as two-year-old Minnie has a quite different approach to shopping. She can create havoc everywhere from Harrods to Harvey Nicks to her own christening. She hires taxis at random, her favourite word is Mine, and she's even started bidding for designer bags on eBay. On top of everything else, there s a big financial crisis. People are having to Cut Back including all of Becky's personal shopping clients and she and Luke are still living with Becky's Mum and Dad. To cheer everyone up, Becky decides to throw a surprise birthday party on a budget but then things become really complicated. Who will end up on the naughty step, who will get a gold star and will Becky's secret wishes come true?" (Summary courtesy of Sophie Kinsella's website.)

My Thoughts:
I've said it before, I'll say it again. When it comes to reading I view books like one might view food. Some books are the appetizer, others are the entree, and still others are like a dessert. One cannot have a healthy diet if all you eat is why type of food, there must be balance. And so it is with reading. I try to balance out my reading by partaking in some classics, some biographies and non-fiction, and even some light-fluffy chick-lit from time to time.

The Shopaholic series is one such chick-lit that I've surprised myself by liking. When I first came upon the series in 2008 I had mixed feelings. I found Becky's story very funny and compelling and yet some of the choices she made really stressed me out. I know this is how a lot of readers feel, but unlike those who ditched Becky half-way through her first catastrophe I actually stuck it out. In some odd twist of irony I actually found myself interested. I had to know what happened next. And after the first book I picked up the second. It didn't take long before I discovered a pattern within the novels:

1. The story opens and we see Becky has a situation.
2. Becky tries to fix things, but gets into a mess.
3. Becky gets further into the mess.
4. When all else fails suddenly she's able to come out of the mess and everything works out just fine.
5. Happy ending promising the next installment.

Not to say this pattern should be interpreted to mean the Shopaholic series are brainless works of fiction because they are not, but neither are they meaty works of literature. Overall I've found them to be entertaining. A mix of modern comedy, romance, and lessons learned. The fun of the story is all in contained within Becky's latest adventure... so long as you can put up with all the drama.

I do have some objections to some aspects of these novels, but considering the world-view of the characters (and the author) nothing is a surprise. Readers should be wary that since this is a British novel there is a smattering of profanity that is a bit stronger than most American novels of the same genre. There are some other adult-content references within the story, but for the most part the story remains clean.

All in all, if you've read any of the Shopaholic series (or seen the 2009 film adaptation of Confessions of a Shopaholic) and enjoyed them and especially if you've made it as far as the fifth book (Shopaholic and Baby) you really must read Kinsella's latest, Mini Shopaholic.

For those of you who have tried to read, but given up on Becky, I'll just say don't bother I know you won't enjoy it.

And for those who have already read Mini Shopaholic, you probably already know that it isn't the end of Becky's story. I suspect in a year (or two) there will be a seventh addition to the series, which I confess I plan to read.

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Reviews of Sophie Kinsella's books & Related Links:

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
Can You Keep A Secret by Sophie Kinsella
The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella

The Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella: (read in 2008 prior to this blog)
Confessions of a Shopaholic
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan
Shopaholic Ties the Knot
Shopaholic And Sister
Shopaholic and Baby

Other chick-lit novels I've read and reviewed.